Summary:
The idea was not to confirm it to both Godavari districts only, but promote it in all 13 districts, neighbouring states and across north India. The AP government started a high-decibel media campaign for this purpose as early as in 2014. Assumed the role of a religious organisation and people of the state were welcomed for Pushkarams in large numbers. AMARAVATI: The one-man commission headed by retired judge Justice CY Somayajulu to probe the stampede at Godavari Pushkarams, sought to blame the hype created by the media for the mishap.The commission probing the incident occurred on July 14, 2015, in which 29 people were killed and several others sustained injuries.The report of the commission was tabled in the assembly by minister for labour, Pithani Satyanarayana on behalf of chief minister Chandrababu Naidu.The commission said that Pushkarams, was a “well planned event, to promote Brand Godavari, with one year of prior planning and with an estimated expenditure running into Rs 1,500 was contemplated.”It further said “About 275 ghats were developed in the twin districts of East and West Godavari. The grand opening ceremony, laser shows, huge display of sky lanterns were instrumental in the mega marketing of this spiritual event.”The commission, then sought to shift the blame on the media.“The media, which became an important instrument of publicity and promotion of products and personalities, brought its own share of misery and inconvenience to the public at large.”The commission further said, “Mushrooming growth of all types of news and devotional channels, which have their own captive viewers, also recorded their phenomenal growth in this century..